As the mother of one of the bravest British soldiers to serve his country Kerry Ashworth was determined not to cry.

When the Queen held out her son’s Victoria Cross, awarded for his valour in defending his comrades in Afghanistan, Mrs Ashworth could barely keep her emotions in check. Once Her Majesty walked from the room she could hold back no more. “When she left the room, the tears just came,” she said.

“James has gone but he will never be forgotten; he is part of the regimental history, he is part of history.”